Hon. Ain Bahadur Shahi

Honorable Finance Minister, respected parliamentarians. I present the budget priorities for the Ministry of Forest and Environment for fiscal year 2025, reflecting our commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Our total budget allocation is NPR 15.2 billion, representing a 18% increase from the previous fiscal year. This increase reflects the government's recognition of environmental priorities as fundamental to Nepal's sustainable development. Key allocations include: NPR 6.5 billion for forest conservation and management programs, NPR 3.2 billion for protected area management, NPR 2.8 billion for climate adaptation initiatives, NPR 1.5 billion for pollution control measures, and NPR 1.2 billion for renewable energy promotion. New initiatives this year include establishing 50 new community forests, expanding our network of protected areas by 12%, launching a national tree-planting campaign, and implementing pollution monitoring systems in major cities. We will also strengthen international cooperation, working with development partners to leverage additional resources for climate action and environmental protection. This budget positions Nepal as a leader in environmental stewardship while supporting economic growth and rural livelihoods.